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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: June 16, 2004 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY UNVEILS NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHSMART FOR STATE EMPLOYEES
Statewide disease prevention and management program to save state health plan $45 million
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today unveiled North Carolina HealthSmart, a statewide disease prevention and management program for state health plan members. The initiative, announced today at the first annual leadership summit sponsored by the State Health Plan, includes more than $45 million in savings from health improvement programs either currently underway or to be started in the next year. Easley also announced plans to expand several pilot wellness programs.
“These programs are paying for themselves in the savings that they generate,” said Easley. “An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Our prevention and wellness efforts are resulting in healthier employees and a healthier pocketbook. The State Health Plan is saving money and is able to pass some of those savings as incentives to employees who participate in the programs.”
North Carolina HealthSmart is a new initiative aimed at helping state employees stay healthy and help those with chronic disease or disease risk factors manage their conditions. The program has three components: health promotion and disease prevention, worksite wellness and disease management.
N.C. HealthSmart will provide State Health Plan members the following benefits:
• Health education programs and tools;
• Screenings to help identify, track and manage health risks;
• Health coaching and medical case management;
• Interactive websites and online tools;
• New wellness benefits; and
• Access to wellness initiatives and programs to assist with lifestyle, health, fitness and dietary improvements.
The initiative will include three pilot wellness programs currently underway with six others expected to start this year. The total estimated savings for the wellness programs totals an estimated $22.5 million. Today, Easley announced efforts to expand these pilots statewide.
-more-

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: June 16, 2004 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY UNVEILS NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHSMART FOR STATE EMPLOYEES
Statewide disease prevention and management program to save state health plan $45 million
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today unveiled North Carolina HealthSmart, a statewide disease prevention and management program for state health plan members. The initiative, announced today at the first annual leadership summit sponsored by the State Health Plan, includes more than $45 million in savings from health improvement programs either currently underway or to be started in the next year. Easley also announced plans to expand several pilot wellness programs.
“These programs are paying for themselves in the savings that they generate,” said Easley. “An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Our prevention and wellness efforts are resulting in healthier employees and a healthier pocketbook. The State Health Plan is saving money and is able to pass some of those savings as incentives to employees who participate in the programs.”
North Carolina HealthSmart is a new initiative aimed at helping state employees stay healthy and help those with chronic disease or disease risk factors manage their conditions. The program has three components: health promotion and disease prevention, worksite wellness and disease management.
N.C. HealthSmart will provide State Health Plan members the following benefits:
• Health education programs and tools;
• Screenings to help identify, track and manage health risks;
• Health coaching and medical case management;
• Interactive websites and online tools;
• New wellness benefits; and
• Access to wellness initiatives and programs to assist with lifestyle, health, fitness and dietary improvements.
The initiative will include three pilot wellness programs currently underway with six others expected to start this year. The total estimated savings for the wellness programs totals an estimated $22.5 million. Today, Easley announced efforts to expand these pilots statewide.
-more-